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Time: 2025-01-09   Source: 77 jilibet    Author:jilibet bet
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A water taxi travels on the Fraser River past cargo containers stacked at Fraser Surrey Docks below houses on a hill, in Surrey, B.C., on Nov. 4. DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press Daniel Schwanen is senior vice-president at the C.D. Howe Institute. Ari Van Assche is a fellow-in-residence with the institute and co-director of the International Institute for Economic Diplomacy at HEC Montréal. They are the authors of the institute’s recent report “The Reconfiguration of Global Supply Chains.” The supply chains serving Canadian markets cannot seem to catch a break. Over the past five years, they have been battered by global economic uncertainties, due diligence legislations and domestic logistical bottlenecks. Now, with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump vowing to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on all imports from Canada as soon as he takes office, and our government poised to retaliate , these supply chain troubles are bound to persist. While countries such as the United States and Australia have already adopted national supply chain strategies to enhance the security and resilience of their supply chains, Canada remains behind. This lag is concerning and demands swift action. Our government must recognize the urgent need for a comprehensive supply chain strategy that recognizes the vital role of efficient supply chains in this country’s prosperity, de-risks chokepoints that may disrupt the supply of essential goods to Canadian markets and fortifies our position within the critical supply chains that serve our major trading partners. Canada’s supply chain woes have emerged from multiple fronts. The COVID-19 pandemic starkly exposed how breakdowns in distant parts of the supply chain can quickly lead to crippling goods shortages in the Canadian market. Geopolitical tensions, such as the U.S.-China trade war and Mr. Trump’s promise to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico have further complicated supply chain dynamics, compelling businesses to adapt and reconfigure their operations – sometimes through friendshoring and reshoring – to maintain efficiency and competitiveness. Domestically, infrastructure issues and due diligence legislations have compounded these supply chain challenges. Canada’s vast geography and reliance on a limited number of transportation corridors make the country particularly susceptible to disruptions. Rail blockades, port strikes and extreme weather events have all contributed to significant supply chain disruptions that have increased costs for Canadian businesses. Additionally, due diligence laws, such as Canada’s modern slavery act, while necessary, have added further complexity, mandating companies to take concrete steps to “know their suppliers” to prevent human rights and environmental violations within their supply chains. In the face of such persistent challenges, it is imperative for Canada to develop a comprehensive supply chain strategy that can strengthen the efficiency and resiliency of its supply chains. The stakes are high – Canada’s prosperity depends on it. Well-functioning supply chains are key for tackling issues such as affordability, productivity and security, which are essential for improving the standard of living for all Canadians. The cornerstone of Canada’s supply chain strategy must be to invest in and support the formation of open, diverse, reliable and socially responsible international supply chains. For most products, the globalized nature of supply chains is a boon for our prosperity. To further streamline them, we must take concrete actions to facilitate trade both within and across Canadian borders, invest in our aging transportation infrastructure and develop robust traceability standards that can improve our firms’ global supply chain mapping capabilities. De-risking supply chains is vital in strategic industries that are central to our economic stability. To safeguard these sectors from supply chain disruptions, Canada must present an integrated, data-driven approach to its supply chain strategy. The strategy needs to identify those strategic sectors that are vital to our national interests, monitor potential chokepoints within their associated supply chains and determine the preferred risk mitigation strategies. This could include diversifying our supplier base, investing in domestic production capabilities and forging stronger international partnerships. Canada’s supply chain strategy must employ a similar data-driven approach to pinpoint our strongpoints within the critical supply chains that support our major trading partners. By understanding the importance of Canadian products in the supply chains that serve the U.S., China and others such as critical minerals, energy resources, medical technology and automotive components, we can better withstand tariff pledges and shape our strategic engagements with these nations. Investing in these strongpoints not only boosts our economic resilience but also strengthens our position in the global market. Bottom-line: Canada’s supply chains are at a crossroads. They face challenges that are significant, but not insurmountable. By adopting a comprehensive supply chain strategy, the Canadian government can turn these challenges into opportunities. This proactive approach would not only stabilize the current trade environment but also position our country as a resilient and competitive player in the global market. The time for action is now, and with the right strategy Canada can boost its chances for a prosperous economic future.

Mixed outlook for local bourseThe Detroit Lions have won a franchise record 11 straight games. Thursday night's 34-31 win over the Green Bay Packers saw the team clinch the playoffs despite giving up a 17-7 halftime lead in the second half. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Detroit's premier play of the game came in the final seconds to set up the game-winning field goal. Dan Campbell opted to go for 4th and inches with 43 seconds to go, and David Montgomery converted despite Jared Goff's slip after snapping. The @Lions go for it... and get it! #GBvsDET on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uHtmLGvCWW Jake Bates then nailed the kick to seal the result and move Detroit to 12-1, while Green Bay fell to 9-4. Let's analyze the game further with winners and losers: WINNER: Jared Goff, Lions Goff continued to be unplayable in a dome setting. Despite a second-half pick that could've been costly, Goff rebounded well to finish with 283 passing yards on 32 of 41 completions and three touchdowns while only being sacked once. Detroit's defense did succumb to second-half pressure from Green Bay, but Goff assembling these types of performances should give the team confidence of a deeper playoff run. LOSER: Slow starts It was a tale of two halves for Green Bay. Jordan Love only completed three passes for 31 yards at halftime. He then opened the second half with a deep bomb to Christian Watson for 59 yards. Love went on to end the game with 12 of 20 completions for 206 yards, one touchdown and no picks. However, had Love and the offense moved the ball better in the first half, they have been able to pull off the road upset. Instead, Detroit repeated what it did in the first half, minus the pick, and got the job done in the end. WINNER: Josh Jacobs, Packers Jacobs continued having an underrated season despite the loss. He joined Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry in the 1,000-yard-plus rushing list this season, en route to logging 18 carries for 66 yards. Jacobs also added three rushing scores, making it seven touchdowns in his last three games. He also had a three-touchdown game two weeks ago in a rout of the San Francisco 49ers . LOSER: Jayden Reed, Packers The Packers have a deep receiving room filled with young talent, which will lead to inconsistent targets and production. That's happening with 24-year-old Jayden Reed, who also continued with oscillating showings. Reed was targeted just once in the loss but didn't have a single catch. He's had three 100-yard-plus receiving games this campaign, but his struggles have continued for three-plus weeks. Prior to tonight, he had total receptions of two, three and three in Green Bay's last three affairs. Matt LaFleur will need to make some tweaks for the youngster. WINNER: Clinching playoff berths Detroit finished the 2023 season with a 12-5 record and won the division. It has already matched that win total with four more games to go, along with clinching a playoff berth. Winning the division isn't a guarantee yet with the Minnesota Vikings and Packers still in the mix, but the team's growth under Campbell has been nothing short of spectacular. However, the Lions don't have an easy run-in for their next four games. They host the Buffalo Bills next before travelling to face the Chicago Bears and 49ers. They host the Vikings to end the regular season. The first step to a Super Bowl run has been achieved, but securing the No. 1 seed is even more important given their form at home.Interact Marketing Expands AI Marketing Offerings for 2025

As the holiday season approaches, gaming laptops emerge as one of the most sought-after holiday gifts for tech enthusiasts and avid gamers. With advancements in technology, these best gaming laptops offer impressive performance, immersive displays, and the ability to handle demanding titles with ease. Whether shopping for someone who enjoys casual gaming or a dedicated gamer, the following top gaming laptops are some of the best laptop recommendations to consider this year. The Razer Blade 18 is a premium choice for gamers who prioritise power and display size. Featuring a sturdy all-aluminium chassis and an 18-inch immersive display, it strikes a balance between aesthetics and performance. Configurable with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, it offers top-tier performance for the most demanding AAA games. While its larger size may limit portability, the Razer Blade 18 is an ideal home gaming rig. For those who value both performance and visual fidelity, this laptop is one of the best gaming laptops available this season. For gamers looking for a sleek design paired with powerful performance, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 stands out. With options for Intel and AMD processors alongside NVIDIA's RTX 40-Series graphics, it excels in both benchmarks and real-world gaming scenarios. Additionally, this model offers excellent value at a competitive price point, making it an ideal choice for serious gamers. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 is one of the top laptop recommendations this holiday season, delivering high performance without breaking the bank. When portability is a priority, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 excels. Known for its sleek design and high-quality OLED display , this laptop is a lightweight alternative to bulkier gaming machines. While it may not reach the extreme frame rates of its larger counterparts, its OLED panel delivers stunning visuals, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming. The latest iteration features an all-metal chassis, ensuring both durability and style. For anyone seeking a compact but powerful machine, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is one of the top gaming laptops to consider for holiday gifts. For gamers who demand extreme power, the MSI Titan 18 HX is a powerhouse. Equipped with an Intel Core i9 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU, it handles the most demanding games with ease. Its 18-inch 4K mini LED display with a 120Hz refresh rate guarantees an immersive and smooth gaming experience. While it is heavier and less portable than other options, its performance and visual quality make it an exceptional choice for dedicated gamers. For those seeking top-tier gaming performance, the MSI Titan 18 HX is among the best gaming laptops this year. Alienware is synonymous with high-performance gaming laptops, and the m18 R2 is no exception. This robust laptop combines top-of-the-line components to deliver exceptional gaming performance across a wide range of titles. Additionally, the Alienware m18 R2 features customizable RGB lighting, enhancing the gaming atmosphere. With a unique and striking design, this laptop is not only powerful but also visually appealing. For gamers looking for power and style, the Alienware m18 R2 should be on their list of top gaming laptops for holiday gifts. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 strikes a perfect balance between portability and performance. Featuring the latest AMD processors and NVIDIA graphics options, it provides solid gaming performance while maintaining good battery life. The G16 also boasts a high-resolution display that enhances visual fidelity during gameplay. This laptop is an excellent choice for gamers who want a versatile machine that can handle both gaming and everyday tasks. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 is a great laptop recommendation for anyone seeking a high-performing, portable gaming machine . The market for gaming laptops persists and expands, providing wide options for consumers with regard to price, preferences and requirements. Every gamer that has been on the market for a new gaming laptop will be happy to know that regardless of one’s needs, whether it is performance, portability, or affordability, there is a best gaming laptop for each of them. Available in the market are the best gaming laptops, and this gives a guarantee that whoever is being shopped for will enjoy the best of gaming technology. Whether it is a powerhouse machine or a portable one, the various laptops enlisted above are perfect for this holiday season.Preview: Bayern Munich vs. Heidenheim - prediction, team news, lineups - Sports MoleTech billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $270 million to help Donald Trump win the US presidency, according to new federal filings, making him the country's biggest political donor. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Musk, the world's richest person, was an ardent supporter of Trump's White House campaign -- funneling money into door knocking operations and speaking at his rallies. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. 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Jaipur: In a bid to combat illegal mining activities, the Rajasthan mining department is set to roll out geo-fencing technology , following its inclusion in the recently approved state mining policy. This move aims at tightening compliance in areas prone to illegal mining. An official said, "Geo-fencing will be instrumental in monitoring high-risk areas, while GPS tracking systems will be installed at check posts to enhance oversight. Furthermore, seized sand will be transported using the e-Ravanna system to maintain transparency." The policy also mandates the issuance of online royalty receipts, reducing the prevalence of fake receipts. Additionally, the vigilance wing will merge with the divisional mining wing, equipping the department of mines and geology with cutting-edge technologies like Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), drones, and other modern tools. The draft policy highlights, "In mineral-rich areas, up to one hectare of govt land adjoining private lease areas may be allocated to facilitate greater mineral extraction." Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .Washington, D.C., Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RAINN , the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, today announced it has been selected as a winner of the 2024 Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant , a public grant opportunity open to registered charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland and registered 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States who are using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. The grant will support RAINN’s efforts to expedite access to trauma-informed support for sexual violence survivors of all ages, delivering critical interventions where people already communicate. Now in its seventh year, the AWS IMAGINE Grant provides vital resources to nonprofit organizations looking to deploy cloud technology as a central tool to achieve mission goals. As part of the program, AWS seeks proposals for big ideas on how to leverage cloud technology in new and innovative ways to accelerate impact in local and global communities. RAINN was named a winner in the Pathfinder – Generative AI category, which recognizes highly innovative, mission-critical projects that leverage generative AI. RAINN will receive up to $200,000 in unrestricted funding, up to $100,000 in AWS Promotional Credits, and implementation support from the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center . Proposals were judged on several factors including the innovative and unique nature of the project, impact on mission-critical goals, and clearly defined outcomes and milestones. RAINN will use AWS generative AI services to integrate RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline and additional support mediums for survivors directly into social media, gaming, and social networking sites. Through this integration, RAINN aims to expedite access to trauma-informed support for sexual violence survivors of all ages, delivering critical interventions where people already communicate. “RAINN is honored to be a 2024-2025 Amazon Web Services IMAGINE Pathfinder recipient,” said Bill Bondurant , Chief Technology Officer for RAINN. “AWS enables RAINN support specialists to connect with survivors, especially those from vulnerable populations, where they are already communicating and may be most comfortable accessing support. Reaching out for help is already difficult, and removing barriers to accessing crisis support for survivors is a critical component of RAINN’s mission. Together, utilizing AWS services, we will help more survivors and work towards creating a world free from sexual violence.” "At AWS, we're inspired by the nonprofit sector's unwavering commitment to preserving the dignity and health of people and our planet," said Allyson Fryhoff, managing director of nonprofit and nonprofit health at AWS. "Our Imagine Grant winners are pioneering groundbreaking, technology-driven approaches that will amplify their mission impact and build a more equitable and compassionate world. We are thrilled to work alongside these organizations, helping them leverage the transformative capabilities of the AWS Cloud to bring these projects to life.” Since the launch of the IMAGINE Grant program in 2018, AWS has awarded over $14M in unrestricted funds, AWS Promotional Credits, and expert technical guidance to over 130 nonprofit organizations in support of their technology-driven goals. Previous winners are currently using AWS services to tackle critical challenges such as eliminating barriers to food security , improving maternal health outcomes , helping millions access clean and safe drinking water globally, tackling rare disease research, and more. Over 85,000 nonprofit organizations worldwide use AWS to increase their impact and advance mission goals. Through multiple programs tailored specifically to the nonprofit community, AWS enables nonprofits of all sizes to overcome barriers to technology adoption, while enhancing the scale, performance, and capabilities of mission operations. For more information on the AWS IMAGINE Grant, visit https://aws.amazon.com/government-education/nonprofits/aws-imagine-grant-program/ ### About RAINN RAINN , the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, free, confidential help is available 24/7 by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting hotline.RAINN.org . Contact: Erinn Robinson Director of Media Relations media@rainn.org Erinn Robinon Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) 8133351418 ErinnR@rainn.orgAfter a stellar premiere followed by two straight episodes of grinding setup, Silo ’s second season really gets rolling this week, with one of the most gripping hours of the entire series. We get a major character death and one pulse-pounding action sequence, balanced by some quiet, well-observed character moments that actually advance the plot rather than slow the momentum. There’s so much to discuss with “The Harmonium” that I almost don’t know where to begin. So let’s begin with an ending: the sad and shocking farewell of Judge Mary Meadows. I feel like we’ve just gotten to know Judge Meadows over the past two weeks, and we get a couple of scenes in this episode to make her loss even more meaningful. First, she has an extended conversation with Lukas, who’s trying to avoid being sent to the mines. Before she makes her decision, she asks him what he’s learned from watching the night skies in the dining hall, and when she realizes his knowledge is rudimentary, she lectures him on what stars are and how our world both revolves and orbits, changing how the skies look each night. Then Lukas asks if there are other worlds too, and Meadows immediately calls in the guards, sentencing him to the mines for five years. (She doubts he’ll survive even one.) Meadows’s other big scene happens with Bernard, who is clinging hard to the Order and trying to follow its step-by-step instructions for “How to Prevent a Rebellion That Kills Everybody in the Silo.” Although he clearly has (reciprocated!) romantic feelings for the judge, he’s wary of many of Mary’s moves, including her agreeing to review Lukas’s case and her agreeing to meet with a delegation from Mechanical. She tries to explain that she’s just defusing tension through bureaucracy, but the “IMPEACH MEADOWS” signs (hung at Sims’s secret command) make Bernard too nervous about what might happen next. It doesn’t help when her thoughts about her impeachment are, “I don’t care; I’ll be long gone before it could happen.” So he invites her over for a dinner date, promising to let her try on the suit he’s ordered for her excursion outside the silo. After some pleasant chitchat and some Erik Satie, Meadows asks to see the suit, and when Bernard stares at her for a long time, she realizes he’s poisoned her. (The man does love to poison, folks.) In the minutes they have left together, they have a plot-relevant conversation as Bernard asks about the time she disappeared for four days, and Meadows responds by alerting him to what was on Juliette’s scandalous hard drive, dropping a name — Salvador Quinn — that I’m sure we’ll hear more about later. Then he pulls out a pair of forbidden VR goggles from his relic stash and lets her spend her final seconds watching Costa Rican wildlife. It’s a nice bit of staging that we don’t see what she sees. We have to use our imaginations — and Tanya Moodie’s excellent performance — to picture it all. Why kill the judge? This is all part of Bernard’s larger plan to whip up public anger against Mechanical, thus strangling the Down Deep rebellion in its cradle. The delegation from below works its way up the stairs throughout this episode, starting at one of the lowest levels, where Knox shows his people a list of names that he believes are the people who died in multiple past rebellions, never mentioned in their history classes. They send a message to Meadows to ask for a meeting, in which they’re going to lay out their plan to try out the advanced suit/tape technology and explore outside. (Knox, it turns out, is aching for Juliette and desperate to find out if she’s still alive out there.) Before they reach the judge’s chambers, there are challenges. Rumors of the meeting have spread through the upper levels, where an angry mob — stoked by Sims and Bernard, of course — has assembled to stop them. The delegation then flexes their muscles by dropping a red ball down the silo’s center, signaling to their comrades in Mechanical to shut down the power. All of this pleases Bernard. The power shutdown reminds everyone how dangerous Mechanical can be. And when Bernard encourages the mob to let the delegation through to see the judge, he springs his next trap. He and Sims have posed the corpse of Judge Meadows behind her desk with a knife in her chest. Knox & Co. have been set up as patsies for her murder. Bernard lets them start walking back down the stairs for a while before he has Sims whip the mob back into an anti-Mechanical frenzy. The episode ends with a nifty shot of the mob rushing down the stairs, just a few levels above where the Mechanical delegation is fleeing. It says something about how well balanced this episode is that I’ve gotten so deep into the recap without mentioning Silo 17. But rest assured, while the action in Silo 18 (which is finally identified by number out loud by Solo) is very strong this week, the Juliette story line remains this season’s strongest. The main thrust of the action in Silo 17 involves Juliette’s efforts to retrieve a firefighting suit from an area of the silo that’s on the other side of a deep pool of water. The title of the episode comes from Solo’s suggestion for how Juliette can get air during her long swim. There’s a harmonium in a children’s classroom, and the bellows from the instrument — operated by Solo — could pump the air Juliette needs. Juliette’s swimming scene is an outstanding set piece, filled with the kind of unexpected complications that make an already tense sequence more nerve-wracking. Her air tube isn’t long enough. The weight she uses to help pull her down into the water gets stuck. The lockers containing the firefighting suits are locked and have to be pried open. Fantastic plotting and execution here. But Juliette’s biggest obstacle is Solo. Now that Solo is out of the vault, exploring the silo and talking (incessantly) to Juliette, it’s become obvious that he has the interests and attention span of a little boy. Juliette does the math when Solo’s looking at a child’s backpack in the classroom — and talking about how that kid sat next to him — and she realizes he must’ve gone into the vault at age 11 or 12. Even with all his access to music and literature, Solo has been without any grown-up role models, which may be why his taste has stalled at the level of the circus and adventure stories like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea . Solo’s sole purpose in life has been to keep the vault safe, so the longer he spends outside the vault with Juliette, the more distracted and anxious he gets about what might be happening back in his little fortress. He almost abandons Juliette mid-swim, then he takes off back to the vault as soon as she emerges from the water. (He then fumbles his passcode and is briefly locked out, which upsets him even more.) Juliette is able to bond with Solo over their shared feelings of loneliness, curiosity, and fear. But there’s still something uncomfortably off-kilter about their interpersonal dynamic. There’s a heartbreaking moment in this episode when Solo realizes Juliette will have to tear apart the harmonium to make her breathing apparatus. He asks, like a child, “You can put it back together, right?” She responds, like a parent, “We’ll see.” And like moms and kids everywhere, they both know deep down that — in many ways — she’s going to break something that’ll never be fixed. • Because of the nature of life in the Silo — where information is tightly controlled from birth to death — the show hasn’t really been plagued by one of Lost ’s biggest problems, where characters would inexplicably fail to ask relevant questions about this place where they’d been stranded. But now that we know Bernard and Solo have secret knowledge, it may start to get more frustrating when someone like Juliette (who is smart, savvy, and aware there’s more to the story than she’s been told) doesn’t take advantage of an opportunity to get “answers.” • Sheriff Billings has a significant subplot this week, investigating the firebombing from the previous episode and finding it suspicious that Judicial (and perhaps some other entity) is hindering the inquiry by whisking away corpses. Bernard may think he has a tight lock on the post-Juliette narrative in Silo 18, but having a sheriff who worked in Judicial and knows its tendencies could inadvertently keep the rebellion alive. • Keep an eye on Sims as well. He thought his impeachment banners would manipulate Bernard into confiding in him again instead of Meadows. Instead, Bernard now trusts him less. Although Bernard is pleased with the ultimate outcome — the judge’s request to go out nullified and Mechanical properly demonized — he’s not happy his hand was forced. He apparently means to make Sims suffer some consequences. But Sims is a dangerous man who controls his own miniature army, so it may not be the best idea for Bernard to freeze him out. • When Juliette says she’s familiar with oceans, Solo asks if they let people read books in Silo 18, to which she says, “Uh ... no.” Some things are different from silo to silo — for example, Silo 17 had Founders Day and Silo 18 has Freedom Day — but apparently they all see literature as contraband. • I’m glad they didn’t push this too far, but the combination of terror and fascination in Solo’s eyes when Juliette strips down to her undergarments for her swim was wholly the reaction you’d expect from a man whose life was frozen in preadolescence. • To play us out, a little harmonium solo from Solo. Take it! By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.TODAY, dignitaries from across the world will gather to marvel at the gleaming restoration of Paris’s magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral. But as French President Emmanuel Macron proudly shows off the £580million rebuild, his country is crumbling around him. Stroll for half an hour along the banks of the Seine from the historic place of worship and you will come to the National Assembly where, on Wednesday night, politicians staged a revolt against their two leaders. Michel Barnier became France’s shortest-serving Prime Minister, lasting just three months before a no-confidence vote forced him to resign. It was a total humiliation for Macron , who had picked the former European Union chief Brexit negotiator to push his controversial policies through the parliament. The President must now find his sixth PM in seven years at a time when France is in the midst of a deepening crisis. The second-biggest economy in Europe has €3.2trillion of debt — twice the EU limit. Barnier’s fall is set to push up interest rates and bond markets are jittery. On Thursday, much of France was crippled by another public sector strike, with hospital workers and air traffic controllers among the staff walking out and demos on the streets. That evening, Macron dismissed calls for his resignation in a TV address. He blamed the “extreme right and extreme left” for the crisis, adding that they had come together “not to do things but to undo them”. Today, he is sure to be all smiles as he welcomes US President elect Donald Trump to Notre Dame , which is reopening after a terrible fire destroyed its roof and spire in 2019. But many French people are tired of their President’s showboating and want a leader who can rescue the nation from impending disaster. Polling reveals two thirds of the population thought that Macron should resign if Barnier lost the confidence vote. Both left-wing and right-wing politicians, who formed an alliance to oust the Prime Minister, want Macron out. The far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen called for Presidential elections, saying: “Emmanuel Macron has attacked the foundation walls of the nation for the past seven years.” And Jeremy Corbyn-style, far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon , of France Unbowed, said: “Even with another Barnier every three months, Macron will not last another three years.” Macron has only himself to blame. His snap parliamentary election in June initiated the crisis — and it is one that is not going away. The result was a hung parliament, with the far-left, far-right and centrist blocs not gaining enough votes for an outright majority. This meant Macron had to appoint a Prime Minister. And even though the centre-right Barnier was not elected, Macron made him PM — but there was always the danger the far left and far right could unite to block his policies. Barnier, 73, was used to governing without the people’s mandate, having been appointed a European Commissioner in 1999. Known in France as Babar, after the unflappable cartoon elephant, he displayed incredible hypocrisy when he unsuccessfully ran for the Presidency of France in 2022. One of the key reasons the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016 was that many wanted to regain control of its borders. Commissioners had turned down requests by then PM David Cameron to restrict which of their citizens came into Britain. Having been deeply critical of Brexit, Barnier then called for France to end freedom of movement because immigration had become “out of control”. No pragmatism. Just ideology. All the speeches were about values, extremes. Our whole discourse is disconnected from reality There was outrage this week when he proposed running roughshod over democracy again. The vote of no confidence was called because neither far-right nor far-left deputies agreed with the PM’s £50billion budget cuts. Veteran journalist Eric Brunet branded the debate “jaw-droppingly French”, adding: “No pragmatism. Just ideology. All the speeches were about values, extremes. Our whole discourse is disconnected from reality.” After losing the vote by 57 per cent, Barnier said Macron could simply pass through his economic policies by presidential decree. That would lead to more protests. This week’s industrial action is over cuts to public sector workers’ sick pay. Next week, farmers plan two days of action against a squeeze on their income. Both Le Pen and the leftists opposed Barnier’s Budget because it was going to put off an inflation-linked increase to state pensions. Even the smallest changes provoke a lively reaction. Taxi drivers set off smoke bombs and fireworks during their “drive slow” protest against patients being asked to share rides to hospital. But with government spending accounting for 57 per cent of France’s GDP, in comparison to 45 per cent in Britain, Macron is likely to continue with his plan to rein in public expenditure. Some commentators have spoken of a debt crisis similar to Greece’s in the 2010s if austerity measures are not imposed. Macron cannot call another election until July 2025 and will struggle to find a PM who will please enough MPs. The crisis has serious implications for the EU, too. With Germany holding elections in February after its coalition collapsed, Europe’s two major powers are deeply distracted from important world events. The EU needs strong leadership to deal with the advent of President Trump, the Ukraine war, Putin and the rise of Russia-sympathising leaders in Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. But its focus is weakened by domestic troubles. In the meantime, the President has asked Barnier to stay on in a caretaker capacity, even though he has resigned as PM. There is talk of Macron going further by imposing a “technocrat” government, which would do his bidding no matter what parliament thinks. That would lead to a repeat of the so- called “yellow vest”, cost-of-living protests of 2018, when there were violent clashes between the police and citizens wearing high-visibility jackets. One man, describing himself as a “yellow jacket”, was waiting outside the National Assembly for the result of the confidence vote. Salvat, 55, from Chartres, near Paris, who didn’t give his second name, said: “I want Macron to go, but what we are witnessing today is just theatre. They are not taking care of the people.” Unemployment in France is at 7.4 per cent, far higher than Britain’s 4.3 per cent, and is sure to keep rising. Last month, tyres went up in flames when it emerged the famous manufacturer Michelin was to close two factories in France employing 1,250 staff. The no-confidence vote has only made matters worse. French bonds and stocks were being sold off at an alarming rate, and borrowing costs spiralled. Even before Barnier went, business confidence had fallen to its lowest in four years. Macron can remain as President until 2027 and few people think he will fall on his sword. Outside the Assembly, lawyer Marie Merger, 49, from Paris, predicted: “Macron will stay until the last minute.” Macron will stay until the last minute Le Pen is unlikely to push too hard for Presidential elections as the electorate knows she faces being barred from government. The firebrand politician and some 20 party members are accused of creating £2.5million worth of fake European Parliament jobs. She denies embezzlement charges but has to wait until the end of March for a court verdict. That leaves Macron free to play the international statesman at Notre Dame. His guests are sure to be impressed, but security will stop the 50 heads of state from seeing homeless people huddled in doorways. Macron, who wooed Trump when he was US President the first time, is hoping to win him over again. For that reason, Barnier’s resignation is problematic. Le Parisien’s front page on Thursday summed it up with the headline, “The Great Unknown”. One source told The Sun: “It would be extremely embarrassing for France not to have a Prime Minister in place during such an important diplomatic weekend for the country.” Not that you would know it from Macron, who only flew back into Paris from Saudi on the evening that Barnier became the first French PM to lose a no-confidence vote in 60 years.

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